- For hardware compatibility issues, refer to our [[known issues|support/known_issues]].

- To learn what you can do with Tails, refer to our [[documentation|doc]].

- For questions related to Tor, see also to the [Tor support pages](https://support.torproject.org/).

[Tails is part of the [Tor Project: FAQ](https://www.torproject.org/docs/faq.html.en).

Tails is part of the [Tor Project](https://torproject.org/).

See also our explanation about [[why does Tails use Tor|doc/anonymous_internet/tor/why#relationship]].

See also our explanation about [[why does Tails use Tor|doc/anonymous_internet/tor/why#relationship]].

<h2 id="dedicated-stick">Do I need a USB stick dedicated to Tails?</h2>

Yes. Tails requires a USB stick dedicated to only running Tails.

If it were possible to use the same USB stick with another operating system, for example to store files to use on Windows, a virus in the other operating system could corrupt your Tails.

That's why your Tails USB stick is not recognized in Windows and why we discourage installing other live operating systems on the same USB stick.

To store files in your Tails USB stick, use the [[Persistent Storage|doc/persistent_storage]]. To exchange files between Tails and another operating system, use a separate USB stick.

<h2 id="unetbootin">Can I install Tails with UNetbootin, YUMI, Rufus, Ventoy, or another tool?</h2>

No. Upgrading whenever you get a notification from *[[Tails Upgrader|doc/upgrade]]* is enough.

No. Tails provides upgrades every six4 weeks, thatwhich are thoroughly tested
to make sure that no security feature or configuration gets broken.
Updating add-ons in <span class="application">Tor Browser</span> might
break the security built in Tails.

Tails provides upgrades every 4 weeks, which are thoroughly tested to make sure that no security feature or configuration gets broken.

If you upgrade the system yourself using `apt` or *Synaptic*, you might break things.

Our team sometimes publishes emergency releases, whenever important security upgrades are available in Debian or *Tor Browser* before the next scheduled release.

It is impossible to verify the integrity of a Tails USB stick or DVD while running Tails from it. It would be like asking to someone whether they are lying: a true liar would always pretend to tell the truth.

If you worry that your Tails might be corrupted, do a [[manual upgrade|upgrade]] from a trusted operating system to upgrade it to a trusted version of Tails.

<p>In the future, we might make it possible to verify the integrity of a Tails
USB stick from another trusted OS. ([[!tails_ticket 7496]])</p>

Tor Browser also includes a [[security level|doc/anonymous_internet/Tor_browser#security-level]] and the [[NoScript|doc/anonymous_internet/Tor_browser#noscript]] extension to optionally disable more JavaScript. This might improve security in some cases. However, if you disable JavaScript, then the [[fingerprint|doc/anonymous_internet/Tor_Browser#fingerprint]] of your *Tor Browser* differs from most users. This reduces your anonymity.

<p>We have plans to allow storing the security level in the Persistent Storage. ([[!tails_ticket 9700]])</p>